Nov. 12, 2013 – Wisconsin's Federal Nominating Commission, charged with making recommendations for vacancies in federal judgeships, is accepting applications for a vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

U.S. Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin established the Commission in April 2013 after U.S. District Judge Charles Clevert announced in October 2012 that he will be taking senior status. The Commission seeks qualified candidates, including women and minority candidates, for appointment to the vacancy.

Application materials were made available Monday, Nov. 11, 2013, and must be returned no later than 12 p.m. on Wed., Dec.11, 2013. The Commission's application and instructions (which are separate documents) are available, in downloadable form. They can be found at the Commission’s website: www.wisbar.org/fnc.

Attorneys Michelle Behnke and Paul Swanson will continue to co-chair the Commission for the Eastern District judicial vacancy. Other commission members are William T. Curran, Richard Esenberg, Frederic Fleishauer and Barbara Zack Quindel. 

State Bar of Wisconsin President Patrick J. Fiedler praised the U.S. Senators from Wisconsin for continuing to move the selection process forward. 

“This most recent process, which resulted in outstanding recommendations for the Western District vacancy, is working well for Wisconsin,” Fiedler said.  “I want to commend our Wisconsin Senators and the members of the commission for their dedication to this important task.”  

Last week, President Barack Obama nominated Madison Attorney James D. Peterson to fill a vacancy on the Federal District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.  Peterson was one of three individuals recommended to the President by Senators Johnson and Baldwin.   

All inquiries and correspondence regarding the Federal Nominating Commission should be directed to Lisa Roys, Public Affairs Director, State Bar of Wisconsin, P.O. Box 7158, Madison, WI 53707-7158. Roys may also be reached toll-free at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6128 or via e-mail at lroys@wisbar.org.  

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